Must-see matchups
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) at Jesuit (1-0), 7
The last-minute contest is a big one. Both teams are ranked among the top 55 nationally by MaxPreps and have state title aspirations in their respective classifications.
Pinkos’ pick: St. Thomas Aquinas by 24
Putnam’s prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 24-21
Hillsborough (1-0) at Armwood (1-0), 7:30
This is a chance for the Terriers to exact revenge from last year’s rout against the Hawks in the season opener.
Pinkos’ pick: Armwood by 6
Putnam’s prediction: Hillsborough 21-20
Newsome (1-0) at Bloomingdale (0-1), 7:30
The Wolves enter this rivalry game with the better record and can a lot of momentum by kocking off the defending state semifinalist Bulls.
Pinkos’ pick: Bloomingdale by 10
Putnam’s prediction: Newsome 17-14
Lakewood (1-0) at Palmetto (0-0), 7:30
The Spartans put their 20-game regular season win streak on the line against the Tigers in their regular season opener.
Pinkos’ pick: Palmetto by 4
Putnam’s prediction: Lakewood 20-14
Hernando (0-0) at Zephyrhills (1-0), 7:30
Both teams have eight returning starters on defense so don’t expect a lot of scoring.
Pinkos’ pick: Zephyrhills by 18
Putnam’s prediction: Zephyrhills 14-12
Calvary Christian (1-0) at Berkeley Prep (1-0), 7
The Warriors got past one challenge by beating Lakeland Victory Christian. Can Calvary Christian do it again against the defending state finalist Buccaneers.
Pinkos’ pick: Berkeley Prep by 18
Putnam’s prediction: Berkeley Prep 24-10
Largo (1-0) at Pinellas Park (1-0), 7
The Patriots have some balance on offense, which could be key in staying undefeated.
Pinkos’ pick: Pinellas Park by 1
Putnam’s prediction: Pinellas Park 21-14
River Ridge (0-1) at Mitchell (1-0), 7:30
The Mustangs are aiming for their sixth straight victory over the host Royal Knights in what might be the biggest rivalry game in the area.
Pinkos’ pick: Mitchell by 27
Putnam’s prediction: Mitchell 35-21
The remaining games
Oasis Christian at Foundation Christian, 4
Pinkos’ pick: Foundation Christian by 1
Putnam’s prediction: Foundation Christian 22-20
Boca Ciega at Countryside, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Boca Ciega by 34
Putnam’s prediction: Boca Ciega 17-16
University Christian at Zephyrhills Christian, 7
Pinkos’ pick: University Christian by 21
Putnam’s prediction: University Christian 27-14
Lakeland Victory Christian at Cambridge Christian, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Victory Christian by 7
Putnam’s prediction: Victory Christian 28-13
Land O’ Lakes at Hollins, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Hollins by 3
Putnam’s prediction: Hollins 30-28
St. Petersburg Catholic at Master’s Academy, 7
Pinkos’ pick: N/A
Putnam’s prediction: SPC 21-16
Shorecrest at Lakeside Christian, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Shorecrest by 17
Putnam’s prediction: Shorecrest 34-20
Bishop McLaughlin at Keswick Christian, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Keswick Christian by 7
Putnam’s prediction: Keswick Christian 28-7
Palm Harbor University at St. Petersburg, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Palm Harbor University by 20
Putnam’s prediction: Palm Harbor University 31-7
Bell Creek Academy at Indian Rocks Christian, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Indian Rocks Christian by 48
Putnam’s prediction: Indian Rocks Christian 38-14
Dunedin at Osceola, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Osceola by 21
Putnam’s prediction: Osceola 34-30
Tarpon Springs at Seminole, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Seminole by 15
Putnam’s prediction: Seminole 24-13
Northside Christian at Carrollwood Day, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Carrollwood Day by 6
Putnam’s prediction: Carrollwood Day 30-14
Lakeland Kathleen at Tampa Catholic, 7
Pinkos’ pick: Tampa Catholic by 8
Putnam’s prediction: Tampa Catholic 22-17
Jefferson at Plant City, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Plant City by 21
Putnam’s prediction: Plant City 26-7
Ocala Trinity Catholic at Clearwater Central Catholic, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Clearwater Central Catholic by 13
Putnam’s prediction: Clearwater Central Catholic 28-21
East Lake at Clearwater, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Clearwater by 10
Putnam’s prediction: Clearwater 24-23
Sunlake at Hudson, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Hudson by 6
Putnam’s prediction: Hudson 31-23
Tampa Bay Tech at Steinbrenner, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Tampa Bay Tech by 25
Putnam’s prediction: Tampa Bay Tech 34-17
Durant at Lennard, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Durant by 10
Putnam’s prediction: Lennard 28-19
Tru Prep Academy at Clearwater Academy, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Clearwater Academy by 3
Putnam’s prediction: Clearwater Academy 23-17
Middleton at Riverview, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Riverview by 18
Putnam’s prediction: Riverview 27-7
Nature Coast at Pasco, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Nature Coast by 18
Putnam’s prediction: Nature Coast 30-16
Gaither at Chamberlain, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Gaither by 18
Putnam’s prediction: Gaither 21-9
Brandon at Sumner, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: N/A
Putnam’s prediction: Sumner 14-10
North Florida Educational Institute at Seffner Christian, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Seffner Christian by 19
Putnam’s prediction: Seffner Christian 28-16
Alonso at Spoto, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Alonso by 14
Putnam’s prediction: Alonso 27-6
Gulf at Bradenton Bayshore, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Bayshore by 7
Putnam’s prediction: Gulf 16-10
Freedom at Blake, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Blake by 1
Putnam’s prediction: Freedom 13-12
King at Sickles, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Sickles by 32
Putnam’s prediction: Sickles 42-14
Plant at Robinson, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Plant by 20
Putnam’s prediction: Plant 24-0
Anclote at Fivay, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Fivay by 13
Putnam’s prediction: Anclote 20-18
East Bay at Strawberry Crest, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: East Bay by 23
Putnam’s prediction: East Bay 28-6
Springstead at Weeki Wachee, 7:30
Pinkos’ pick: Springstead by 26
Putnam’s prediction: Springstead 37-14
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